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It will be a Captain’s start to the 2019 Nedbank Golf Challenge, hosted by Gary Player, as Presidents Cup Captain Ernie Els and Ryder Cup Captain Padraig Harrington feature in the first three-ball off the first tee at the Gary Player Country Club on Thursday.

Els, the International Captain for the upcoming Presidents Cup in Australia, and Harrington, the European Captain for next year’s Ryder Cup in the United States, make for a powerful start to “Africa’s Major” alongside England’s Matthew Southgate at 09:00.

And both will no doubt have plenty to talk about regarding their respective roles in the two biggest team competitions in golf.

“I have spoken to some of the previous European Ryder Cup captains. You know, on paper we are nowhere near the US team. But we’ve seen what the European Ryder Cup team has done in the past. They’ve got the magic potion, so to speak,” said Ernie Els as he attempts to turn around a long losing streak against the Americans in the Presidents Cup.

And Harrington is firmly in the corner of Els and his International Team.

“I really want Ernie’s team to win. I don’t want the US getting any momentum. If they build some momentum, that’s trouble for me in 10 months time. So yeah, I’m hoping Ernie and his team give them a good trouncing. I think people support Europe in the Ryder Cup like everybody supported South Africa against England in the Rugby World Cup Final,” said Padraig Harrington.